Nessletter

Magazine Overview

Title: Nessletter
Issue: No 95
Date: August 1989
Publisher: Ness Information Service
ISSN: 0264-7001

This issue of Nessletter provides a personal account of a holiday at Loch Ness, discusses a mysterious object found in the loch, and details a significant video sighting.

Holidays at Loch Ness

The author recounts a holiday at Loch Ness in July 1989 with his wife Doris, daughter Heather, and sister-in-law Audrey. They noted the unusually low water level, attributing it to the dry summer, with the loch level being approximately two feet below normal. A large shingle bank indicated the high water mark from February floods. The author describes the old pier and the remains of wooden structures in the water. The weather was generally good, with some rain showers that slightly raised the loch level. The author enjoyed canoeing and found a piece of driftwood shaped like Nessie's head and neck. They also observed mergansers and black-throated divers. The family took a trip on the boat 'Scott II', which offered good views of the loch and Castle Urquhart.

Friends Sue and Alastair Loyd visited, with Alastair being unwell. They used a VCR to help him relax. The author also mentions missing friends Doug Macfarlane and Antony Sharratt, and having a chat with Dick Raynor, who was involved in setting up a new exhibition at Drumnadrochit.

The 'Perspex Barrel' Mystery

Adrian Shine's work with the Loch Ness Project is highlighted, particularly the retrieval of a 'Perspex Barrel' from the loch. This object, detected by sonar in 1983, was found to be approximately 152 inches long and 9 inches in diameter. It was constructed of inert silicon powder and bar magnets, with three internal tubes. The object had been tethered at a depth of 600 feet for at least six years, and no one had come forward to claim it. The Customs and Excise were called, and analysis confirmed the powder was not narcotic. The author questions the origin and purpose of this object, presenting it as another mystery of Loch Ness.

Nessie on Video?

The issue details a video recording made by John and Judy Chaffin from Vancouver in June 1989. While walking near Urquhart Bay, they observed and filmed an object swimming in the loch for about a minute and a half. The object had a rounded head, about the size of a basketball, and appeared to be an animal with a body estimated to be eight to ten feet long. It moved at approximately 5mph, creating a visible bow wave. The sighting was discussed with marine biologist Dr. Gordon Williamson, who believed it was an animal but not a seal due to the head being held so high and for so long. He suggested it could be a large dog or a deer. The Chaffins were satisfied that they had seen a living creature in the loch. The BBC later obtained a copy of the tape for a program, which included Adrian Shine and Gordon Williamson. Comparisons were made using similar equipment, testing a motor cruiser and a model mallard duck. The Chaffins' video was described as slightly out of focus with camera wobble, but it showed a dark lump moving steadily with a weaving course. Both Adrian Shine and Gordon Williamson were sure it was an animal and not a hoax. The article concludes that while the video is compelling, it does not definitively solve the mystery of Loch Ness.

Editorial Notes and Contact Information

The author, R. R. Hepple, apologizes for the late publication of the newsletter, citing shift work and writer's block. He encourages readers to send in their news and views. Contact details and subscription rates are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the personal experiences of visiting Loch Ness, the ongoing scientific investigation into the loch's mysteries (particularly the 'Perspex Barrel' and video analysis), and the challenges of interpreting evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, acknowledging the need for tourism and exhibitions while emphasizing the importance of fair representation of facts. The author expresses a personal interest in the phenomena but maintains a grounded approach, noting the limitations of evidence and the persistence of mystery.